The Night Before Halloween - Book Review

Guest Author - Taisha Turner

The Night Before Halloween has Halloween twists on the beloved Clement Clarke Moore’s Christmas poem, The Night Before Christmas. Natasha Wing changes the text for Halloween. The rhythm of the original rhyming verse remains.

Natasha Wing reveals the preparations monsters make for the Halloween festivities. A mummy wraps fresh cloths about his body. The ghost, witch and others are busy too. They prepare for the human trick-or-treaters. Candies and drinks are on the table. Decorations drape the room.

The Night Before Halloween captures the anticipation of the monsters. Children identify with the monsters because their anticipation is high, also. They like watching the monsters plan their outfits and menu. Young readers love Cynthia Fisher’s illustrations of the monsters. They are smiling spooky characters, not frightening. So they do not scare little ones. What is there to be afraid? A Halloween party is tomorrow!

The Halloween poem is a great read for children between four and eight. Younger children will love the rhythm of the spoken verse. The book contains rhymes that are easy to remember. They appeal to children.

Children will identify and name the different monsters. The traditional preparations for Halloween will comfort them, for older children are familiar with the routine. Children under four learn what is involved. Take time and share this children Halloween book. They will enjoy the holiday poem and request repeated readings. Happy Halloween!

Jack Prelutsky has a collection of great Halloween poems, It's Halloween

"I always imagined Paradise to be a....library." - Jorgelius Borges

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